Monday, July 20, 2026
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For readers looking for what’s still working in the world

HopeResilienceGratitudeConnectionCourageKindnessCreativityGrowth

Monday, July 20

Good news, worth watching.

Stories of hope, kindness, resilience and progress — each one carrying a video, and each read through the science of wellbeing.

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Instagram
ConnectionInstagram

Anthony Bourdain: Move. Eat their food. Walk in their shoes.

Anthony Bourdain, with his signature blend of warmth and wisdom, reminds us that the world is both vast and accessible, urging us to traverse it with curiosity and openness. His philosophy champions the idea that empathy and understanding are cultivated not through distant observation but through genuine interaction and shared experiences. Bourdain's emphasis on food as a universal language illustrates how a simple act of breaking bread with others can dissolve cultural barriers and foster deep connections.

  • Curiosity
  • Courage
  • Perspective
YouTube
ConnectionNice News

From Belgium to Maryland, These Newer Towns Were Designed to Look Old

In a world where rapid urban expansion often leads to soulless developments, a handful of towns from Belgium to Maryland are proving that new doesn't have to mean characterless. These towns, rooted in the principles of New Urbanism, blend the aesthetic charm of historic architecture with modern infrastructure, creating spaces that prioritize community and sustainability over car-centric design. The movement, which began in the U.S. in the 1980s, seeks to emulate the walkability and communal atmosphere of historic European cities while overcoming the practical challenges of aging infrastructures.

  • Hope
  • Curiosity
  • Perseverance
TikTok
ResilienceUpworthy

A blind woman reached out and touched a tree she couldn’t see. She’d ‘heard’ it standing there.

Molly Burke, a blind advocate and content creator, recently shared a captivating moment on TikTok where she demonstrated the use of passive echolocation, a skill she learned as a child. While walking through a park, she was able to 'hear' a tree standing silently before her, a phenomenon she describes as the tree being 'loud' due to its interruption of the ambient soundscape. This skill, which relies on detecting sound shadows or the way objects alter surrounding noises, highlights a profound adaptation that allows blind individuals to navigate the world without sight.

  • Perseverance
  • Curiosity
  • Hope
Instagram
ResilienceInstagram

Messi on getting out of a rut: stop thinking, make one good play

Lionel Messi’s approach to breaking out of a rut on the football field offers a profound lesson in behavioral activation. By prioritizing action over reflection, Messi demonstrates that confidence is not something to be pondered into existence but rather cultivated through small, deliberate acts. This method, deeply rooted in the principles of cognitive behavioral therapy, suggests that momentum and flow can be reignited through micro-wins—small successes that cumulatively restore confidence and drive.

  • Perseverance
  • Courage
  • Hope
YouTube
ConnectionNice News

See Inside the 3 DIY Backyard Bars Competing for 2026 Pub Shed of the Year

In an era where community and sustainability converge in unexpected places, the 2026 Pub Shed of the Year contest highlights the creativity and camaraderie of backyard enthusiasts in England. The competition features three finalists, each with their unique flair: The Pampered Chicken, The Mucky Pub, and Bar Hibbys. These DIY backyard bars, crafted from recycled materials and filled with personal memories, are not just sheds but vibrant social hubs that embody the spirit of friendship and community.

  • Gratitude
  • Perseverance
  • Kindness
Instagram
ConnectionUpworthy

Mom explains the eye-opening reason people stop to thank her for having eight children

In a world where large families are often met with surprise or skepticism, Kuʻuleilehua Makekau's story offers a unique perspective rooted in cultural preservation and pride. As a mother of eight, Makekau frequently receives expressions of gratitude from elderly Hawaiians, who view her family's size as a vital contribution to the survival and growth of the Native Hawaiian community. This appreciation is steeped in the historical context of Hawaii, where colonization and introduced diseases once nearly decimated the indigenous population.

  • Gratitude
  • Hope
  • Perspective
YouTube
GrowthUpworthy

A hairstylist with no archaeology degree solved an ancient Roman mystery scholars got wrong for centuries

Janet Stephens, a Baltimore-based hairstylist, has turned conventional archaeological wisdom on its head by solving a centuries-old mystery about Roman hairstyles. Her journey began in 2001 when she noticed, while visiting The Walters Art Museum, that the Roman busts' hair didn't seem to rely on wigs, as previously thought. Instead, Stephens proposed that the Romans used needle and thread to sew the braids into place. Her relentless experimentation and historical research, including her innovative interpretation of the Latin word 'acus,' revealed that these gravity-defying styles were ingeniously crafted without wigs.

  • Curiosity
  • Perseverance
  • Perspective
YouTube
ConnectionGood News Network

It Takes a Village to Raise a Child, But This Lonely 4-yo First Had to Raise His Neighborhood (WATCH)

In a heartwarming twist on the age-old adage that 'it takes a village to raise a child,' this story from Concord, North Carolina highlights how a lonely four-year-old named Roman managed to unite his neighborhood. Following his parents' divorce, Roman found himself seeking connection by waving at passersby from his doorstep. His simple gestures of friendliness caught the attention of his neighbors, beginning with Wade Folger, a retired man who lived next door. Folger's decision to engage with Roman soon prompted others in the neighborhood to do the same, ultimately transforming a collection of strangers into a community.

  • Kindness
  • Hope
  • Love
TikTok
ConnectionUpworthy

Psychologists say there are 4 types of introverts. These are the personality traits of each one.

In a world where introverts are often misunderstood and pigeonholed, the work of psychologists Jonathan M. Cheek and his colleagues provides a refreshing perspective by identifying four distinct types: Social, Thinking, Anxious, and Restrained. This nuanced understanding challenges the monolithic stereotype of introversion, highlighting that introverts can be as diverse in their social and internal lives as their extroverted counterparts. With insights from Chloë Bean, a somatic trauma therapist, the article underscores that these introversion types are fluid, influenced by life phases, stress levels, and personal histories, rather than static categories.

  • Curiosity
  • Perspective
  • Self-Regulation
TikTok
ResilienceUpworthy

At 51, she had just $5,000 to her name. When she died at 101, she had turned it into $22 million.

Anne Scheiber's story is a testament to the power of perseverance and self-education. After retiring from a career with the IRS at 51 with only $5,000, she taught herself to invest and amassed a fortune of $22 million by the time of her death at 101. Her approach to investing was marked by patience and a focus on long-term growth, echoing the strategies of legendary investors like Warren Buffett. Yet, despite her wealth, she lived modestly and left her entire fortune to Yeshiva University to support scholarships for Jewish women, reflecting both her personal experiences with discrimination and her commitment to empowering others.

  • Perseverance
  • Curiosity
  • Gratitude
Instagram
CreativityInstagram

Funny PSA: "Cringe" was invented by Big Normal — embrace your whimsy

In a delightful twist on social commentary, a humorous PSA confronts the societal construct of 'cringe' as a tool of 'Big Normal,' a fictional corporation embodying societal pressure to conform. This clever narrative invites us to reconsider the boundaries we set for ourselves, often dictated by a fear of judgment. The PSA suggests that what we label as 'cringey' is typically a vibrant expression of our true selves, urging us to embrace these quirks as acts of defiance against the stifling norms of conformity.

  • Courage
  • Humor
  • Authenticity
YouTube
KindnessUpworthy

Elderly rescue dog can’t stop putting random items in his bed, keeping his family entertained

In the heartwarming tale of Duke, an elderly golden retriever with a penchant for collecting household items, we find a story not just of quirky canine behavior but of resilience and acceptance. Duke, once labeled nearly unadoptable due to his odd habit of stealing and hoarding random objects, has found a haven with the Hoyt family. Rather than attempting to change him, they embrace his unique ways, allowing him to find comfort and security in his peculiar collections. This understanding underscores the deep impact of past trauma and the healing power of a loving and patient environment.

  • Kindness
  • Perspective
  • Love
Instagram
KindnessUpworthy

1st grade teacher asked students to color their ‘favorite’ hat. She then secretly created each one for real.

In a heartwarming tale from Wallace Elementary in Kelso, Washington, first-grade teacher Ashley Lowry turned her students' artistic dreams into reality. After asking her class to design and color their 'favorite' hats, she spent her winter break meticulously crafting each unique design into real, wearable hats. The joy and surprise on the children's faces as they discovered their creations transformed into tangible gifts showcased the profound impact of a teacher's dedication and creativity.

  • Kindness
  • Creativity
  • Perseverance
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From the Research Desk

The science behind the good

The finding1 of 5

Kursk residents' life quality is moderately impacted by healthcare system satisfaction.

What’s Workingpositivetech.org
Problemy sotsial'noi gigieny, zdravookhraneniia i istorii meditsiny

[THE SUBJECTIVE ESTIMATES OF QUALITY OF LIFE OF URBAN POPULATION OF PROVINCIAL REGION THROUGH THE PRISM OF SATISFACTION OF HEALTH CARE SYSTEM].

  • Meaning
  • Accomplishment

This study explores how the quality of healthcare systems influences the subjective quality of life for residents in the city of Kursk, Russia. The researchers conducted a survey to understand how people's perceptions of their well-being and life quality are linked to their satisfaction with healthcare services. The findings indicate that inadequacies in healthcare infrastructure and personnel negatively impact residents' quality of life.

Read the science →
The finding1 of 3

University students value mental health apps that are discreet, user-friendly, and protect privacy.

What’s Workingpositivetech.org
International journal of qualitative studies on health and well-being

Integration of cognitive behavioral therapy and mobile health applications among university students with depression: a qualitative study.

  • Resilience
  • Engagement

This study delves into how university students with depressive symptoms perceive the integration of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) with mobile health applications. Through interviews with 32 students, researchers identified key themes around app design, help-seeking processes, and the core features of CBT that these students find beneficial. The study highlights the importance of discreet and user-friendly app design, emphasizing privacy and flexible features that cater to personal needs.

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The finding1 of 4

The Brazilian version of the Resilience Evaluation Scale effectively measures resilience, linking higher resilience to lower psychological distress.

What’s Workingpositivetech.org
European journal of psychotraumatology

Resilience Evaluation Scale: translation and psychometric validation in Brazilian Portuguese.

  • Resilience
  • Growth

This study focuses on the translation and validation of the Resilience Evaluation Scale (RES) for use in Brazil. Resilience is an important psychological trait that helps individuals cope with potentially traumatic events, which are common in Brazil. The researchers translated the RES into Brazilian Portuguese and tested its reliability and validity among Brazilian participants.

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Read by what you need today

Hope

Stories that widen the sense of what's possible.

Resilience

People and communities bending without breaking.

Gratitude

Noticing and naming the good that's already here.

Connection

The quiet, durable work of belonging to one another.

Courage

Acting well in the presence of fear or cost.

Kindness

Everyday generosity that compounds.

Creativity

New answers to old problems.

Growth

Learning, healing, and becoming more whole.